Screen Squinty’s “Steven Universe: A Queer Television Show Analysis”.

*Note: Major Spoilers in this article! and it wont have any references to 2016 Summer of Steven as I haven’t seen them yet.

In recent years we have seen an emergence of children shows that have challenged the mainstream traditionalist standards. But none of them ever quite fully embrace their own powers of dissent quite so much as one particular animated family series that came out in 2013. Created by Rebeca Sugar (the first solo woman creator at Cartoon Network), the fantasy/sci-fi show known as  Steven Universe (2013-present).

Steven Universe is a vital artifact of queer discussion, and by studying various episodes of how queerness is worked in the series; I will prove its importance as a queer failure to be mainstream.

But before we get into discussing the episodes what do I mean by “failure”?

According to gender and queer theorist Dr. Jack Halberstam, the term “Failure” is an anti-nationalist discourse in dissent in the era of the superpower. If you take to his/hers definition, to be “Queer” is to regularly and willingly choose to fail within the terms of normalization (or mainstream) that society has set-up (Halberstram, J. p.27-52 & Halberstram, J, IPAK Centar Interview, 2014).

When considering the show’s ways of failing to be mainstream, an important factor in regards to one of the target audiences, in this case children, and how its relationship as a children’s show or family show, to is important in highlighting its unique queerness.

All Children are Queer?

 

In the works of Dr. Kathryn Bond Stockton, she theorizes that all children are essentially queer. 

Not born destined to be straight, that heteronormativity is in fact an illusion that is instilled in children through various forms of conditioning (Stockton, K. Reynolds Lecture, 2010).

This is a radical theory that fails to adhere to the mainstream contention that one is born with their orientation, and defies the set belief in the liner progression of the heteronormative straight child into the ideal of marriage (one woman and one man) and procreation, forcing children to in fact not develop linearly at all, but develop sideways under the reeling in conditioning of various authority and media (Stockton, K. Reynolds Lecture, 2010).

Stockton’s theory also fails the dominant mainstream desire of silence in regards to the queerness of children, or challenging the figure of “The Child”, which is a dominantly believed in being this state of divine purity bolstered by a pillar of innocence and weakness, or as Stockton puts the figure:

“..A creature of gradual growth managed away and bolstered by laws that ideally protect it from its own participation its pleasure and its pain.”– Quote, Stockton, K (Stockton, K. Reynolds Lecture, 2010).

 

 This child figure idealism echoes into our media consumption, particularly in anything directed towards children. Animation especially is still not taken seriously as a medium whether adult oriented or youth despite some of the magnificent strides made, simply because it is thought to dominantly remain within the realm of “immature” due to the medium being originally directed towards youth (Rosewarne, L. p.1-16).

Granted that is a belief that has been seeing a decline in the recent decades, there are entire fan communities that are proud to declare their appreciation for particular animated shows (the most infamous being the Bronys), but there is not only still a certain level of prejudice lingering around animation due to its target audience origins, even accepted varieties aside, some modes of animation, particularly family oriented animation, are segregated as immature (Bronys, who are predominantly considered to be adult men, are quite commonly mocked for liking a show geared towards a “little girl” audience).

As such there is an underlining preoccupation of protecting our “impressionable youth” from subjects deemed “to mature”, there is a dominant belief that children are too immature to be exposed to things so shocking *roles eyes* as gender identity, sexuality, and non-hetero intimacy, etc.

Sexuality discussed as part of children is one of the bigger taboos in children’s television as a result, yet because of the sentiments of the medium of animation, the veil of its seeming lack of ability to be taken to seriously makes it the optimum ground for a lot of rebellious content, which Steven Universe takes an entertaining delight in doing (Rosewarne, L. p.1-16 & Halberstram, J. p.27-52 & Halberstram, J, IPAK Centar Interview, 2014.)

Steven Universe Queer Episodes: A Sampling.

 

We will now explore various samplings of episodes and overarching content within the show that expresses the various ways in which Steven Universe is a gloriously queer television artifact.

Gender fluid/Transgender/Nonbinary individuals have found a long history of difficulty gaining a competent visible foothold in children’s television.

There have been some strides over the years within other programing such as Orange is The New Black, The Fosters, Transparent, etc., but in children’s programming, it is only just beginning to find its footing, but is still primarily willingly ignored by producers because of the earlier explained protection of the child figure (Rosewarne, L. p.1-16, & Stockton, K. Reynolds Lecture, 2010).

Only in the past decade or two has programming for children shed the strict gender polarization and shows began appearing that broke down some of the strict gender categories, though often not quite as upfront and certainly not with a main character.

For example, My Little Pony Friendship is Magic introduced the concept of transgender and/or gender fluid as existing within the canon of the show, and a minor character (Big Macintosh)as being possibly gender fluid through the episodes “Brotherhooves Social” and “Do Princesses Dream of Electric Sheep?” where Big Macintosh homages Sailor Moon’s transformation.

MLP:FiM, “Big Macintosh, Do Princesses Dream of Electric Sheep?“. 2015, Hasbro.

Steven Universe unlike other shows however takes it a step forward by breaking down the heteronormative gender and sex categories in their episodes even further, and isn’t afraid of utilizing main characters while doing it.

For example in the episode “Tiger Millionaire” (Season 1, Ep. 9, 2014) Steven discovers that Amethyst, one of the other main characters, sneaks out at night to go to an underground wrestling arena. When she is in the ring she transforms herself into the heavily muscled Purple Puma and is addressed as male.

Steven Universe, “Purple Puma,” 2014, Cartoon Network.

In this setting she revels in her hyper aggressive masculine identity, glorying in being free to express this side of herself “in the ring nobody can tell me what to do and if they try I hit them in the face with a chair” (Amethyst, 02.49). Later in the episode when the other two Gems storm the arena expressing their displeasure with Amethyst and Steven’s actions (he’d joined up with Amethyst at this point as a wrestler) and intervenes with his fighting family to explain the purple puma’s stage backstory:

“…He was the wildest cat in the jungle, so wild the other cats couldn’t take it so she, I mean he, went to look for somewhere he fit in, somewhere with other people who were also misunderstood…that’s why we are all here, to be wild and body slam each other and wear cool costumes and make up nicknames, and…uh…so can’t we just have this? Can’t we just wrestle?”– (Steven, 09.30).

 

While the episode can be seen as a commentary on pro-wrestling, this episode also can be  read as a very solid allegorical lesson in acceptance of being one’s self in the multiple ways people present themselves, and accepting that outlet of expression.

The show meanwhile also acknowledges the binary gender tropes common to popular fields of animation.

Anime in particular is referenced due to the show in part being inspired by the medium, and often pays homage to its roots in many episodes, and anime is certainly rife with these tropes.

One of the most visible subversion of gender norms from television content is the common anime trope of “the magical girl” or “mahou shoujo.” This is a character trope usually considered female and for female audiences, one of the most popular being Sailor Moon, Tokyo MewMew, Pretear, and Cardcaptor Sakura (1998-2000) just to name a few.

“Magical girls” are usually small cute figures or cute voluptuous figures, having a magical transformations before a battle with a lot of melodramatic gestures and speeches sometimes involved, and flowers or feminine colors such as pink is very present (tvtropes.org, Magical Girls).

In the episode “An Indirect Kiss” (Season 1, Ep. 24, 2014) Steven’s status as being based on the magical girl trope is emphasized when he tries to access his mother’s healing magical tears (healing powers and tears long in animation also firmly categorized as feminine).

Trying to do so Steven moves in the melodramatic gestures and stances of a transforming magical girl, with profuse roses and pinkness (pinkness and roses very much a dominant theme and symbol of his power carried over from his mother Rose and prominent throughout the series) (Season 1, Ep. 24, 2014).

Steven Universe, “Steven Universe, An Indirect Kiss.” 2014, Cartoon Network.

Steven Universe itself also takes a lot of inspiration from Revolutionary Girl Utena, a show about a girl who decides she wants to become a Prince, an anime that is considered very queer leaning for its time. Steven Universe references this root in the show through various scenes such as Steven pulling out his mother’s sword from Lion’s head in a similar manner that Utena pulls out a sword from Anthy’s chest, and Pearl’s swordsmanship is a copy of a fight scene of Utena’s.

Clip shot from Do You Know Anime “Pearl and Utena fight scene comparison.” 2015, doyouknowanime.net/Cartoon Network.

In “Giant Woman” (Season 1, ep. 12, 2014) the viewers are introduced to the concept of fusion for the first time, which is the ability for two or more gems to merge their bodies and minds (provided they are compatible) into a new being.

Periodically throughout the episode Steven expresses his desire to see the fusion (whom is called Opal) and sings a song (04.02) about that desire. At first it comes across as almost autoerotic in his fixation, but then the last line of the song reveals his true desire.

“…But if it were me, I’d really wanna be a giant woman,
a giant woman!
All I wanna do, is see you turn into a giant woman…”- (Steven, 04.45).

 

In “Alone Together” Steven and Connie manage to fuse and create Stevonie, a gender neutral or genderqueer individual who was only prominent in one episode and briefly there in another.

They are never referred to as “he” or “she”, usually referred to as “They,” and are often considered attractive by both males and females alike, though Stevonie seems to be somewhat unaware of the later.

Steven throughout the show is commonly presented with female gender trope signifiers such as his powers being primarily defensive, forming in a manner associated with magical girl powers, has been commonly mistaken for his mother by other Gems, and has even said that he may be his mother.

There are also the mixing of mainstream gender codes within the show: Lion, whom as a male lion is considered a masculine symbol (often associated with Kings) is combined with the color pink and a vaguely heart shaped head design which are female gender codes, and Steven’s healing powers (feminine) combined with spitting as a mode of use (masculine), just to give a bit of an example.
The queering of gender isn’t the only aspect explored by the show.

An Erotic Universe?

 

Steven Universe is surprisingly rife with erotic content that acknowledges its queer characters and youth characters as physically intimate beings in a largely non-sexual way and delights in going out of its way in its failure to keep things “behind closed doors” so to speak.

As mentioned earlier, the concept of fusion was first introduced in “Giant Woman” but the intimate connotations were first fully realized in “Coach Steven” (Season 1, ep.20, 2014).

In this episode Garnet and Amethyst decide to fuse to create Sugilite (another giant woman). The dance that follows in Sugilite’s creation is unmistakably erotic, a lot of pelvic movements and provocative gestures, and ending with Garnet in a decidedly hard-to-interpret-as-anything-else pose with her legs spread wide, and Amethyst leaping head first between her thighs at the moment of the merge (01.36-02.07).

The erotic nature of this is also signified through Pearl who bears a keenly embarrassed look on her face, as she tries to block Steven’s view, who is quite excited by the display (01.36-02.07).

With this implication of the more intimate nature of fusion firmly signified in the viewers thanks to this episode, when “Alone Together” mentioned earlier comes along, viewers are introduced to the uncommon sight of two child characters engaged in their own form of intimacy when Steven and his friend Connie merge together into Stevonie.

They are encouraged to be the experience that Stevonie is by Garnet; despite Pearl’s objections to the inappropriateness of it.

In an article by the editor of “Polygon” Carli Velocci comments on how the Stevonnie character can be perceived as a positive metaphor for consent, in an entirely non-sexual context (Velocci,C. 2015). Indeed, the notion of consent in fusion is brought up by Garnet herself in the show as well more then once.

This in turn puts a form of intimacy in a seeming non-sexual act, or perhaps introducing an intimacy that is not traditionally defined as mainstream sex, perhaps queering the definition of “sexual act” itself.

Later on in the episode “Jail Break” (Season 1, ep. 52, 2015) it is revealed that Garnet herself is in fact a fusion, the personification of the romantic relationship of two female presenting characters Ruby and Sapphire, who are in a romantic relationship and are often depicted as a couple since their first appearance arguing, flirting, and physically acting as a couple on the show.

Soon after the revelation that Garnet is a fusion, stipulated on the show as  the personification of their relationship, is sung by her as she battles Jasper in a lyrical flip-off to traditionalist narrow mind-sets which are later expanded upon in other episodes as a trait of many off world Gems (05.16-07.35).

There are other incidences and allusions to eroticism in the show, as well as other significant queer relationships such as Pearl and Rose, a relationship that echos the old style chivalrous love depicted between medieval knights and a royal, and of course the relationship between Sadie and Lars, one of the few straight relationships depicted on the show whose intimacy status is in no doubt.

Steven and the Family.

 

It should also be significant to note that Steven Universe also features as a visible queer family dynamic, often on contrast with the mainstream Nuclear family dynamic, and does discuss this from the point of view of both Steven as a child from the former who doesn’t understand how having 3 mother figures and one not at home father is any different in the definition of family then having one mother and father.

This was done in “Fusion Cuisine” (Season 1, Episode 32) quite well when Connie’s parents want to meet Steven’s parents, whom they had been led to believe were a nuclear family.

The episode did well at portraying Steven’s point of view on the matter, showing his confusion with the “Nuclear Family” dynamic as a norm in contrast to his own norm, highlighting that their is no real norm in regard to family from one aspect to the next highlighted well by Steven’s confrontation with Connie over the issue, and Connie’s parents reaction to the truth of Steven’s family situation.

Basically, as long as a child was reared with proper discipline and boundaries in the eyes of Connie’s parents,they saw no problem with who was enforcing it.

Conclusion

 

So in conclusion Steven Universe is a glorious failure to be mainstream that subverts, declares, and challenges viewers in dominant ideals about children, queer representations in television, and intimacy, while also providing a fiction which speaks to the queerness of all children in general with a strong emphasis on embracing and communicating ones identity and uniqueness.

This is an important show in the continuing steps forward in children’s programming.



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Bibliography

*Note: this is somewhat incomplete as more stuff was added to later, and are entirely common knowledge anyway.

Halberstam, Judith. Queer Art of Failure. Durham, NC, USA: Duke University Press, 2011.
Accessed December 9, 2015. ProQuest ebrary.
—“Chapter One Animating Revolt and Revolting Animation,” p.27-52.
Rosewarne, Lauren. American Taboo: The Forbidden Words, Unspoken Rules, and Secret Morality of Popular Culture. Praeger, An Imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC, 2013. Kindle EBook.
—“ The Gay Chapter : Homosexuality in Animation,” p.1-16.
“Magical Girl.” Tvtropes.org. Last modified November 29, 2015.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MagicalGirl.

Dr. Kathryn Stockton. “The Strangeness of Sexuality: What is Queer Theory? Are Children Queer?” 2010 Reynolds Lecture at the University of Utah, published November 25, 2014. Online Video. Retrieved at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NklYXR4mY5I&list=PLbP1qZTHfPXoHJ6gnyGb1NzvMIbRa5r9z&index=12

Prof. Jack Halberstram, “Interview with Prof. Jack Halberstram”, 2014 Summer School for Sexualities, Culture, and Politics, Research Centre for Cultures, Politics and Identities (IPAK) Faculty of Media and Communications (FMK), Singidunum University, September 05, 2014. Online Video. Retrieved at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKDEil7m1j8
Rebeca Sugar, et al.

Steven Universe. United States: Cartoon Network, 2013-present.
Velocci, Carli (2015-07-14). “What a children’s show can teach us about sex and healthy relationships”. Polygon.

Screen Squinty's Personal Log #2: "Steven Universe: Ep. 11-20."

Personal Log #2 focuses on Steven Universe, I will be going over the entirety of the episodes that have been aired up to the date of the day this is posted by sections of at most 10. Each episode will be given an informal review/commentary, and what I think really stands out, both good and bad.

There will also be spoilers, it can' be helped in some sections, so heads up.

Episodes 11-20.

11. Arcade Mania.

 

(Clip shot "Steven Universe Arcade Mania" Google images. Property of Rebeca Sugar and Cartoon Network.)

This was a fun little episode that presented the mostly reclusive Gem’s engaging a laid back boardwalk 90’s style Arcade run by Mr. Smiley, who seems to be the single owner and producer of any form of extracurricular activity in the entirety of Beach City.

This was a fun little culture encounter between the Gems and their Human neighbors with some great interactions between the Gems with various retro games that provided a nice poke at an element the bygone days of childhood for any adult watching it.

While nothing overly much happens this episode, you do get a bit of a glimpse of the dynamic between the Gems, with Garnet being the undeclared leader because of her perceptiveness, which is a particular part of her capabilities that is expanded upon later in the series but in this episode is first foreshadowed.

While there weren’t a lot of jokes, what jokes there were worked very well, particularly Pearl’s encounter with the driving game, Onion’s blatant spectatorship, and a nice little teenage mutant ninja turtle reference.

Oh, and a moment of silence for the tragic death of Punch Buddy *bows head*.

12. Giant Woman.

(Clip shot: "Steven Universe Giant Woman," Property of Rebecca Sugar and Cartoon Network).

This episode we get our first introduction into Fusion, the Gem ability to fuse with other gems, and they introduce it with the two best characters for it, Amethyst and Pearl, whom of all the characters on the show have the most fricative relationship with one another.

This is the first episode where we see a hint of continuity, in that it carries over the argumentative discourse between Pearl and Amethyst from previous episodes, particularly the last two before this one. It wasn’t obvious continuity, but the first hints in the show’s transition into a more continuous and less isolated episodic structure perhaps.

Steven’s best moments this episode was with the running gag with the goat, Steven Junior, and when he sings Giant Women with all the enthusiasm his big-hearted youthful outlook can provide. Not anything to write home about, but a perfect Steven song nonetheless.

Opal by the way was very cool and a good amalgamation of Pearl and Opal designs, and a nice symbol of the moral of the episode, a standard working together for the sake of a common goal.

RIP random bird monster just looking for lunch.

 

13. So Many Birthdays.

(Clip Shot "Steven Universe To Many Birthdays," Property of Rebecca Sugar and Cartoon Network).

This was a very odd episode.

It introduces the notion that Gems are ageless (though they can still get damaged and die) and confronts the Gem’s quite vigorously with the finite mortality that is aging on a personal level.

Even though it was a bit odd, going from rather lighthearted, to depressed, to rather dark very quickly, it utilized the story quite well in expressing its themes, and the panic that one goes through the when they realize there is nothing they can do in the face of a helpless situation, was handled quite realistically for a kids show.

Props go to the animation department for depicting the age transitions, the expressions on the Gem’s, particularly Pearl. Props also goes to the humour, which was an excellent blend of immature and treading the line into dark humour, with a smidge of adult humour thrown in.

RIP one piñata and two helpless pies.

 

14. Lars and the Cool Kids.

(Clip Shot: "Steven Universe Lars and the Popular Kids," Property of Rebecca Sugar and Cartoon Network).

I have to admit that I’m not a big Lars fan, but at the same time, I appreciate that his type of character is needed in a show like this, mainly as a contrast or foil to other characters. In the case of this episode, we see a fairly trope storyline of a teenager, Lars, wanting to be with the popular crowd and Steven going along with it.

The “cool kids” are the younger Pizza sister, Sourcream, and the son of the mayor, Buckweat who are amusing, if undeveloped characters, one of which had the best line in the episode: “The lack of daddy kisses in my life made me who I am.” I have to admit I cracked up, at this deadpan delivery from Buckweat, and the expression on the face of the baby that was kissed by the mayor was hilarious, a nice little subverting of a politician stereotype.

While Lars was rather unlikable, a standard for Lars, I will admit, that the moment when Steven puts him in his place was surprisingly powerful and and very satisfying, if oddly placed. It showed a certain quality of maturity in Steven and fleshed out his character a bit this episode, this in part is why Lars, while annoying and unlikable is necessary if correctly used.

Overall an ok episode with some amusing one liners and a decent moment for Steven, as well as actually adding somewhat to the skimpy population of Beach City.

RIP Pearl's perfect police tape bow.

 

15. Onion Trade.

(Clip Shot "Steven Universe Onion Trade," Property of  Rebbeca Sugar and Cartoon Network).

This is one of my favorite episodes, easily in my top 10 when I get around to making a list of that.

I make no secret of the fact that of all the side characters in this show, Onion is my favorite. He’s this weird kid with an odd sort of Squash shaped head and this blank sort of quietness that creepily watches you from random spots and sort of embodies the kind of kid you would see in horror films or the Twilight Zone. With just a shift of expression or simple action, he can convey a funny moment in silence, in contrast to the louder, brasher Steven. He’s also, outside of Connie, the only other character close to Steven’s relative age being depicted.

This episode was particularly fun as it gives attention to Onion and some of his everyday living, and moments that accentuate his creepy factor, particularly where he had this open the doors to hell expression when Steven was debating giving Onion the replicator wand.

There was also some nice lines, such as Steven’s cheerful last words at the very end that summed up the episode brilliantly, as well as a smart poke on the nuclear ideal of the masculine future career, and a nice little reference to Scrooge McDuck from Duck Tales.

 This was a nice little standalone episode that, while didn't do much of anything overall, it does add a nice little omake, or isolated adventure that is made for the sheer fun of it.

RIP beautiful hamburger.

 

16. Steve the Sword Fighter.

(Clip Shot: "Steven Universe Steven the Sword Fighter).

This was an episode that yet again gives some insight into the biology of the Gems, provides a shocking unexpected moment, and a nice little commentary on how something awesome looking is often not like its reality, and that sometimes it takes hard work to get to a point of awesomeness.

I remember when I first watched this episode, it reminded me of back in the day when I would watch these martial arts movies much like Steven does, or Power Rangers, and how I, and children like me, reacted very much like Steven, falling in love with the idea of the badassery of being a great fighter, but in the end, being rather disenchanted with the reality of what it means to become a great fighter. This episode took that nostalgic feeling for the adults such as myself, and placed it in a moral lesson for the kids and wrapped it up with some good Steven moments, and a shocker near beginning of the episode.

I also like that Steven's emotions were also explored, particularly that of absence, particularly parental absence.

Props to the animation team on its poked parody at martial arts films by using a vaguely anime style for the sequences, and the writers for a nicely paced plot and that somewhat practical joke-ish begining on the viewers.

RIP classic Pearl.

 

17. Lion 2: The Movie.

(Clip Shot "Steven Universe Lion 2 the Movie," property of Rebbecca Sugar and Cartoon Network).

Another fun episode, this one centered on Connie, Steven and Lion as they go to meet their destinies... going to the movies!

This is another little foreshadow episode that hints at possible later events in the series, particularly in Connie’s role in the show when considered in hindsight and the introduction of a hidden Gem Bunker.

What made this episode work was yet again an excellent presentation of character dynamic between Connie and Stephen with Connie's amazement by the magical weirdness in Steven’s life, and Steven amazement by the ordinary things in Connie’s life. They work well as a foil for the other, and every episode they have been in together so far has been gold.

The humour was another strong factor. I think many of us laughed at the parody of the “BWAA” sounding “epic” trailer through Dogcopter, like the kind meant to psych people up. Dogcopter was both creative in and of itself, and provided a nice little commentary on the attitudes of movie spectators, particularly with such lines of "hoping Dog Copter was faithful to the book."

The great battle between Steven with Connie and the training device (?) that runs amok showed great moment between the two in the heat of battle as warriors, as well as a great Utena reference.

Oh, and Pink Lion Jesus *Chuckle* nice.

RIP Fire N’ Ice.

 

18. Beach Party.

(Clip shot "Steven Universe The Beach Party," Property of Rebbecca Sugar and Cartoon Network).

This episode we are introduced to the Pizza family in their entirety when Steven hosts a beach party in the hopes of mending the one sided strained relationship between the Pizzas and the Gems when Garnet accidentally smashes up the sign to their place of business.

What stole the show this episode had to be Nanefua Pizza. She had all the best lines, and was the one to organize the destruction of the giant blowfish monster. She wasn’t an obvious stereotype elderly character, and had a good dynamic with the other characters, particularly Steven.

Another amusing part of the show was the Gem’s interactions with the rest of the Pizza family, bridges breaking through the meeting of various commonalities or things that the characters found admirable about each other. and the
Despite the mending of fences, the one-side component to this friction between the two families is that you can clearly tell the Gems are ambivalent to the concerns of civilians, so to speak. While this could be seen as a distraction from the "mending fences" part of the story, this was in fact more along the lines of displaying an overall fault in the Gems as a whole, being their somewhat inherent arrogance towards humanity, though they are friendly with the Pizza’s after a while and do listen to Nanefua in the end, it is still something very much a part of them in the end, and somewhat unresolved, as it should be.

This depiction of an inherent flaw in the Gems makes them more relatable,as they are now being shown to have flaws as a group with others instead of individually, which leaves a nice path open to plot for later on.

RIP Pizza Fish Stew sign.

 

19. Rose’s Room.

(Clip Shot "Steven Universe Rose's Room," Property of Rebecca Sugar and Cartoon Network).

In this episode we get a glimpse into a bit more about Rose when Steven unlocks his mother’s Room at the temple after an angry outburst at the Gems.

This was an episode that did a good job with the ol’ caught in a dream/unreal environment trope, and actually presented something creative to watch. The shorter time frame improved on the trope standard, with all the attention the creators had to pay to time, everything was kept very concise, with utilizing some good creepy visuals, the brief Return of Frybo as a nice touch to a little continuity, and Steven’s overall emotional reactions to reality tripping out around him were excellent.

The only flaw this episode had to be that while he came to the realization that he can’t always get what he wants, particularly with adults and adult responsibilities, he ruined that little moral moment by exclaiming at the end “I get everything!” and likely probably confused younger viewers.

RIP: Frybo, again.

 

20. Coach Steven.

(Clip Shot "Steven Universe Coach Steven," property of Rebbecca Sugar and Cartoon Network).

This episode, we are introduced to another Gem fusion, and Steven, Sadie, Lars, and Greg decided to do a bit of exercise.

This was an episode that combined some really interesting elements with a “meh” story.

The interesting elements lie first of all in the beginning where we witness a successful, and yes, somewhat erotic merge between Garnet and Amethyst. This scene I felt was excellent at introducing the notion of provocative imagery or eroticism to a younger audience without being outright nitty gritty sexual.

Physical provocative imagery doesn’t necessarily always have to be sexual, in fact this episode reminded me much of the classical art you find at museums that can be considered physically provocative without being sexual (or at least considered sexual by today's standards) such as the Venus de Milo or the Micealango's David for example. This does a good job of presenting that notion of provocativeness to its audiences while at the same time also couching a moment of queer intimacy which is not normally shown on children’s shows, which is still relativity minor, especially as any sort of imagery of this nature that does pop up from time to time in children appropriate programming is often kept strictly hetero.
 
Sugilite by the way was also brilliantly designed with a good blend of the two Gem characters, and the final battle between her and Pearl was well executed and enjoyable, highlighting Pearl's strength as a fighter and a role model both.

The other positive this episode was Pearl and her Jealousy over Steven’s adoration to Sugilite as a role model. Her emotions during this episode, one of the early ones to really depict Pearl’s more emotional and less prim side is always a highlight.

The meh, not bad, but not overly interesting part, was the building muscles arc. It wasn’t bad, it provided what was needed for Pearl’s arc, but it wasn’t overly interesting to watch either, though Greg and Lars had a good line here and there, particularly his deadpan “what just happened?” at the end by Lars. The other problem for this part was its combination with the strong punch opening and ending that made the scenes with the muscle building seem somewhat superfluous, and almost like it belonged to a separate episode.

Overall a good episode for specific elements, though not an all around excellent episode all the way through.

RIP Greg's gym.

More Coming Soon...

Screen Squinty's Personal Log #2: "Steven Universe: Ep. 1-10."

Personal Log #2 focuses on Steven Universe, I will be going over the entirety of the episodes that have been aired up to the date of the day this is posted by sections of at most 10. Each episode will be given an informal review/commentary, and what I think really stands out, both good and bad.

There will also be spoilers, it can' be helped in some sections, so heads up.

Episodes 1-10.

1. Gem Glow.

(Clip Shot From "Steven Universe Gem Glow." Goggle Images. Property of Rebeca Sugar and Cartoon Network.)

I admit that the first episode wasn't my favorite.

This felt very kiddish even for a kid show, and I wasn't overly impressed with the animation style, particularly in Steven's character design, but then we see the gems, and their unique characteristics, the style of the temple in which they live, the introduction of a unique fantasy adventure story with a non-traditional family unit, and lastly, the odd sort of charm that is exuded through Steven's innocent exuberance and the Gem's reaction to his obsession with frozen kitty shaped treats, and a bit of action, it actually wasn't a to bad of an episode. not my favorite, but not bad, looking back in hindsight.

RIP Ice Cream Cat.

2. Lazar Light Cannon.

(Greg Universe, Clip shot from "Steven Universe Lazar Cannon" Google Images,  Property of Rebeca Sugar and Cartoon Network.)

This episode was the first that gives a hint at some of the amazingly well done and creative animation we will be receiving from this show, plus the heart. Watching Rose's Cannon blow a giant crystal eyeball out of the sky was beautiful to watch, particularly combined with Greg's expression.

The nice little touch of Greg's hot dog wisdom as the password was a real feels moment, establishing in a very brief and subtle way, the relationship that Greg had with Rose and how much they loved each other. It occurred to me in this moment and throughout Greg's introduction as a character, that this was going to be one of those rare shows in which, while this does have the parent trope of Mother died/gone for plot purposes, this episode does however, begin to establish her a bit into the story, and Greg himself as this very real individual that is not some authority figure that a child character will need to thwart to do something the parent thinks is dangerous, nor the unintentional/intentional asshole type parental that leaves their kid conveniently alone for plot. Greg is just this guy who is willing to help when asked, leery of the magic surrounding his son, but still willing to do what is necessary as well as support him with this sort of retired laid back attitude, yet still comes across as this caring father figure.

A very refreshing episode filled with just the right amount of attractive visuals, decent and unique characterizations, and a touch of real emotion.

RIP Greg's upholstery.

3. Cheeseburger Backpack.

(Clip Art from "Steven Universe Cheeseburger Backpack" Google Images. Property of Rebeca Sugar and Cartoon Network.)

This was a fun little episode that took the ridiculous notion of a cheeseburger backpack and a crumbling ancient temple to present Steven's first adventure outside of his home town.

Props has to go to Perl for her hilarious expressions and her humorous fussiness, and perhaps the uniquest talking doll on the market that was a mild poke at the toy industry.

RIP Motion Sick Doll.

4. Together Breakfast.

(Clip shot "Steven Universe Together Breakfast" Google images. Property of Rebeca Sugar and Cartoon Network.)

Together Breakfast Recipe

• Four toasted Waffles
• A large slathering of either chocolate syrup or maple syrup.
• 3 small bags of microwave popcorn.
• Whipped cream.

* The Soul of a sinister entity.

• One strawberry on top.

This was one of those episodes that somewhat highlights the awkward stage the animators were having with Stevens face in the early days of the show, though the animation wasn’t all bad in this one, there was great depictions of the inner sanctum of the temple and the personal rooms of the Gems. At times it even had an almost surreal quality to it.

The humour was good to, even utilizing the musical score of the episode, and Steven’s amusingly tragic attempts at getting his mother figures to eat breakfast together with him as best buds (i.e family). The final fate of the breakfast, it’s relatively safe to say, you don’t quite predict happening, and it makes you laugh afterwards.

This episode was also good at providing a solid beginning basis at displaying some of the interpersonal relationships in the family both with each other and as a whole.

RIP Together Breakfast.

5. Frybro

(clip shot "Steven Universe Frybo" Google images. Property of Rebeca Sugar and Cartoon Network.)

This was the episode that really brought me into the franchise.

It’s this strange mix of humour, jaded commentary on “productive member of society”, action, and a surprising amount of gore for a children’s show, yet was still all technically bloodless.

I loved this episode, everything about it was gold with Steven in top form, a good secondary character, and Pearl’s dead pan expression was brilliant.

RIP creepy costume.

6. Catfingers.

(Clip shot "Steven Universe Catfingers" Google images. Property of Rebeca Sugar and Cartoon Network.)

This was perhaps the creepiest of the episodes form the first season.

This episode introduces the power of transformation that all Gems have (though Pearl doesn't use it as far as i can tell in the show), though Amethyst seems to be the only one interested in using all the time.

Pearl gives her small bit of exposition on transformation, and then Steven, obviously interested, tries to train in changing into something, only to succeed with the mixed results (which will be a recurring thing with Steven's powers) that quickly escalate.

This episode had a nice couched theme of being cautious when trying out new things, particularly doing something you aren’t familiar with outside of responsible supervision. Kind of a standard moral in a kids show, but they do it in a way that both presents the warning (scarily so) and yet presents the lesson to the parents as well, that children sometimes need to have a little faith put into them to fix their mistakes or if they can’t, come to them when they are overwhelmed (though this later one was not a strongly laid out).

I particularly enjoyed the imagination that someone in the production department must have wielded when they came up with the climax of this episode. It’s actually an episode I would recommend for Halloween for adults as well as the younger set.

I give it two meow's up.

RIP Steven's cats.

7. Bubblebuddies.

(Clip shot "Steven Universe Bubblebuddies" Google images. Property of Rebeca Sugar and Cartoon Network.)

This episode introduces Connie to the character roster for the first time outside of the opening credits, as well as Steven gaining a new ability.

The dialogue between Connie and Steven works really well for a first episode with these two together, though it does help that they are trapped in a magical bubble together, particularly with Connie’s uncertainty juxtaposed with Steven’s eternal optimism in close quarters.

The rest of the characters were delightful as well, with Sadie trying to help with her usual brash confidence and Lars…well, Lars is Lars really. Steven’s dead pan expression at his sum up of their relationship was amusing.

Onion continues his creepy factor as he pulls out popcorn to enjoy the spectacle of his trapped contemporaries in a bubble, and the Gem’s, who had a minor role in this episode, were further cemented their position as parental figures as they play out the "classic parents embarrassing the offspring" trope.

RIP Random boat.

8.Serious Steven.

(Clip shot "Steven Universe Serious Steven" Google images. property of Rebeca Sugar and Cartoon Network.)

This was a good episode that stretched the animators a bit in some creative use of scenes with the strawberry field battle ground, the various trap laden rooms in the Gem Ship, and the construction of the Gem ship itself as whole, particularly with the visual hints of some of the Gem's history on the walls.

Props humour-wise has to go to Steven's serious face and The Wickerman (Cage version) "Deleted Bee's Scene" reference.

RIP tea cup ride.

9. Tiger Millionaire.

(Clip shot "Steven Universe Tiger Millionaire" Google images. property fo Rebeca Sugar and Cartoon Network.)

I love how in this episode Beach City gets a bit of world building in the revelation that it has underground masked wrestling of all things, and Steven’s eyes when he found out that Amethyst was a secret wrestler was, for lack of a better word, darling.

This episode had a lot of creativity, particularly in Steven’s wrestling persona of Tiger Millionaire throughout this episode, and Steven’s reactions as the character, particularly the moments when his notion of where the pretending of the personality blurred with taking the personality to seriously, was nicely couched within the story.

There are a couple of interesting themes one can glean from this episode:

The commentary on finding a place where one can be oneself and respecting those spaces was well done, interchanging with the moral of not being so critical of individuals themselves who choose to be something others may not necessarily approve of was perhaps one of the primary ones.

This was also a good rip on the male dominated wrestling in general.

RIP random chair.

10. Steven’s Lion.

(Clip shot "Steven Universe Steven's Lion" Google images. property of Rebeca Sugar and Cartoon Network.)

It was hard to tell who was more deadpanned, the pink lion or Garnet.

The humour was a bit mixed this episode, but the animation was good, with a well portrayed bad ass pink lion (later called Lion) introduced for the first time into the show, and some creative work with the magical sand glass when it uncontrollably builds castle parts out of sand, which was some really cool animation to see.

The dynamic between Lion and Steven was precious, and reflected what one expects from a child with there first pet, taking center stage from the Gems.

I admit I am intrigued by the pizza stew store, I thought that was a clever bit of additional expansion to Beach City, and a part of me is intensely curious about what a fish stew pizza would be like in real life.

RIP best sandcastle ever.

More Coming Soon...

Screen Squinty's "South Park Season 19: Tweek x Craig” Review.

 (“Tweak x Craig” made by craigxtweekalicous at craigxtweekalicous.tumblr.com)

Show:South Park.
Season: 19.
Episode: 6, “Tweek x Craig.”
Written by: Trey Parker.
Released: 2015.
Running Time 22 min.

Well, this week’s episode was certainly interesting.

Being a member of a fair few fandoms and holding an account on deviantart.com, it didn’t take me long to see and hear about this interesting proclivity among some South Park fan artists to pair the background/side characters, Craig and Tweak. Then again, I have come across a fair amount of yaoi variations of various fandoms, and done in the popular anime/manga style dejour, so I wasn’t overly surprised to hear that there was yaoi art based from South Park.

The only surprise for me was that it took South Park itself this long to react through one of their episodes, a not uncommon thing in various franchises, for example Supernatural was fairly quick to respond to their fandom pairings in an episode, and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic even quicker in at least two of their own.

How shows respond in these episodes is usually tricky on part of the makers, as they need a balance of settling what their image is about, acknowledge their fanbase, but at the same time not collectively tick them off. Supernatural did it by using the basis of a fan convention for one plot line and poked fun in a carefully humorous way to the more incestuous popular pairing of Sam/Dean that was out there, while MLP used their episodes to tackle their issue with shipping, one as a poke at shipping in and of itself as a sort of moral lesson, and another as a not quite smart wink, wink.

South Park’s method was to absorb it into their latest plot device of the PC frame work they have been working with as an overarching narrative this current season. In retrospect, considering the PC -ist commentary that’s been going on, it was likely only a matter of time before sexual normativity popped up. In this case, they used a sort of reverse-repression when dealing with the issues of a community and family’s idea of the dominant ideal of sexual orientation over the wishes of those who wish to be another way is purposefully overlooked. In this case, the community itself is so preoccupied with being seen as open and accepting that Craig and Tweak are gay, that they seem to choose to ignore the fact that Craig and Tweak insist they are straight.

The show seems to be more using episode structure on a more personal scale, and less about the perception of sexual normative in general. This personal commentary can be read as a show maker’s relationship with the fanbase known as shippers, particularly yaoi shippers, with the South Park Community representing them, and how they seem to be, from the content maker’s point of view, forcing their ideals onto the show’s ideal of cannon, manifested in the shipping of the characters of Craig and Tweek through Greg and Tweek, and the two’s later capitulation as being seen as the show flinging its hands up and saying that there is no point in fighting it.

While there is a sort of poking fun element, this is South Park after all, unlike Supernatural’s outright poking fun, they are not upfront mocking the shippers themselves nor are they trying to steer the shippers away from shipping like MLP, they are more along the lines of having this sort of resigned air to the whole thing, but at the same time that it’s okay to resign to it, tolerance for this type of shipping seems to make a lot of people happy, so why not let them have their illusion?

The only nitpick for this episode would have to be Cartmen’s thing with Cupid Self. I don’t exactly know what was going on there, was Cartmen supposed to be a shipper or something? The purpose of his little arc was a little confusing, though it could be read as him coming to terms with the reality of Craig and Tweak being gay in a PC world outside his bigotry for once.

Overall, a good response episode on behalf of South Park, taking it in a surprisingly tolerant turn considering the show’s reputation, and the storyline itself had a good pace, Randy and the rest of his friends generational confusion was a nice touch, and despite Cartmen’s confusing little arc, it was a strong episode.



Original post:  https://screensquinty.wordpress.com/2015/10/29/south-park-season-19-tweek-x-craig-a-review/
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Screen Squinty's "South Park Season 19, Episode 1: Stunning and Brave” Review.

 ("South Park Season 19, Episode 1: Stunning and Brave.” Screen Shot, Property of Matt Stone and Trey Parker and Comedy Central.)

Episode: “Stunning and Brave.”
Show: South Park.
Released: 2015.
Running time: 21 min.

There is a fear surrounding the term “being PC” or politically correct. Many people are afraid to say or do anything out of ignorance or general nitpicker anxieties for fear of possibly offending someone, and being considered a bigot/bad person. Many want to be seen as good human beings and thus when fingers are pointed at for daring to make comment about something, particularly outside of personal experience, they are disturbed into silence. The South Park Season 19 premiere episode “Stunning and Brave” (written by Trey Parker) touches on that anxiety.

In this episode PC Principal is a testosterone riddled jock-ish aggressive PC-er, who confronts the main characters, their parents, and most of the town about their discriminatory insensitivity. He is the embodiment of those “privilege police” that go around denouncing people’s opinions because they are making it from a position of a particular privilege.

This episode does a self-poke at the show, mentioning various situations through PC principal that would be considered discriminating during a parent teacher conference night when the character is introduced. This can be seen as the major clue that this is an episode more from a personal reaction by the show’s creators with aggressive PC critics then critics and more general society. There is also the veiled defense of the show in the climax of the episode through Cartman when he uses a few ethnic stereotypes and offensive images as a weapon against the PC Frat house, then one of PC Principal’s friends mentions “ yeah, I would have never thought to use offensive imagery and outrageous stereotypes to provoke someone to open their eyes…” which is basically what South Park generally does when they use offensive imagery and outrageous stereotypes through parody to illicit awareness to the issues an episode covers.

Granted, the episode could have done without that explanation at the end, having a point explained takes away from the impact of thinking about the lesson, but it could have been done by the creators to make absolutely sure that their critics get the point and can’t further misconstrue this particular theme.

Outside of this, the show also parodies aggressive PC’ers in general as by providing an exaggerated stereotype that they are all privileged university/college students who take their criticism a little too far to the point of mimicking what they are policing without any real understanding or personal experience themselves of the issue because of their own privileges, making them come across as hypocrites. It was an interesting attempt at exaggerating the negative qualities of aggressive PC’ers through a potentially offensive generalization.

South Park also used Kyle particularly well as the besieged straight-man in all this, the more sober sort of tragic element in the issue of being politically correct for the sake of it. Kyle has an opinion that is not politically correct, that he is not fond of Kate Jenner, a visible trans woman previously known as Bruce Jenner from the Kardashians, a prolific figure and advocate within the trans community. In the show, the point is that often if someone has a negative view of someone its because a person with privilege is having issues with someone elses lack of privilege of that privilege or some physical difference, such as being trans. Kyle disagrees with this, stating that he was not fond of her when she was Bruce Jenner and the fact that Bruce is now Katie, doesn’t change his opinion of the person, Katie being a trans woman or her actions as a trans woman, has nothing to do with it. Kyle represents the correct was of thought, in that it is about the individual person themselves and not what they are that should matter, the thing that people should have a problem with is people themselves not their outward appearance or identity.

This was a good episode, a good layering of themes for the most part. PC Principal will likely get old fast if he is used in more episodes then this, and it was a surprise that they kept him on at the end, but that could perhaps be the point. The episode worked the mentioned themes well, and Kyle’s progression with this was well utilized, though some of the characters were rather underutilized and just there for the sake of them being there. Randy’s arc was unsurprising, considering his previous record of getting sucked into things, but seemed rather pointless overall, though it could be an avenue for something in later episodes, and like with most other good South Park episodes, there is likely more to unpack from it, but for the new season, it’s a great start for season 19.



Original post:  https://screensquinty.wordpress.com/2015/09/17/south-park-season-19-episode-1-stunning-and-brave-a-review/
Screen Squinty's Reviews:  https://screensquinty.wordpress.com/
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